Hey guys,
I have a question for you mechanics out there. I know this isn't a hotrod question but still a car question. I have a 93 Ford Probe Gt for my daily driver winter car. The problem is in the steering. When I turn the wheel left and right, I get clicks. I don't know if it is the actual steering box that is worn or if it if the rack and pinion that is making the noise. I have driven tons of cars with rack and pinion steering and I have never heard this clicking before so I am skeptical to think it is normal. I just wanted to get some opinions from some experts who have maybe seen the same problem or have had the same problem. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance guys!

I had originally thought the same thing about the CV shafts. But there is no wear what so ever. They are very tight. It doesn't clunk like a worn CV, it just clicks. Kinda like a ratcheting sound. Thanks for the thought though.

Does it only do it during acceleration through turns? Or does it click when you turn the steering wheel?
If it's the first, it's the CV's. I know you said that you checked em, but don't you have to take the axel out to check em? Every time I hear that ratcheting click, it's always because of a torn CV boot that leaked out the grease. (Probe's are FWD right?).

It clicks all the time when I turn the wheel. Even if I am parked it still clicks. Yes, Probes are FWD. You don't have to take the axle out to check the joints. All you have to do is feel for play by jogging the wheels. The joints in mine are really tight. I had bad CV joints in an old ford taurus and when I shook the wheels with my hands it felt like they were gonna fall off. It clicks all the way left and all the way right.

You might put on stands or a lift and dissconnect both ends of the rack to isolate it and see if the clicking continues. This should get you closer. Silly question, are you talking about when the steering is at full left and full right or all the way thru-out the cycle from left to right? There is a pressure relief check valve in the pump that by-passes fluid at full lock and does chatter somewhat. Some are quiter than others but this noise is a normal condition.

BanditT/A,
Check the bearing in the Mcpherson struts. The front spring rests on them and the weight of the car is on them all the time. When they get dirt or water in there they start to wear. When they get bad they make noise. Only cure I know is to replace the front bearing pads and struts.

Thanks for the replies guys. It clicks all the way through the cycle. But stops clicking at full left and right. It only clicks when moving. It is not the turn signal cam. The sound is definately outside on the driver side. The bearings are fine. I just replaced them 2 months ago. I will try putting the car on stands and see what it does. Thanks for the info.

sadly you drive a ford and even worse you have one of thier powersteering boxes wich do seem to make all kinds of noise. i would reccomend putting some STP engine oil treatment in the pump about 2 capfulls should do the trick this i know helps with the wine that they tend to make hopefully it solves the clicking noise,

this is definitly not a permanet fix but it could give you some answers if the noise changes you know its internal more than likely it is the rack and you will need to replace it

Eficamaro, I know the infamous ford steering pump whine you are talking about. This car has a different pump and does not do that. All my 80's mustangs that I have owned all had the whine. Annoying as hell. But actually I found the problem when I looked into it more over the weekend. What is happening is when the wheel is turned the strut is clicking. The rubber at the top of the strut is rubbing against the body which is creating the sound. A few squirts of oil and its gone!
Thanks for all the help guys!

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